Football previews: Noblesville-Carmel highlights Week 2

Week 2 of high school football in Hamilton County will see the first matchup between county schools, as a clash between Noblesville and Carmel highlights the seven games among local teams this Friday.
The Millers will travel to Carmel Stadium to take on the Greyhounds, with kickoff at 7 p.m. Both teams will be looking for a first win, as their season-openers finished in defeat. Carmel fell at Louisville Trinity 41-14, while Noblesville dropped a 42-14 decision to Cathedral.
Both teams had offensive highlights during the game. John Rogers scored a pair of touchdowns for the Greyhounds and totaled 110 yards rushing. Elijah Butler had a one-yard TD run for the Millers, with first-year quarterback Alex Zavac completing a touchdown pass.
“There’s a reason why they were picked as the pre-season big school No. 1 team,” said Noblesville coach Justin Roden of Carmel on HCTV. “They’re just so fundamentally sound. They do things the right way.”
This will be the fourth year of the renewed regular-season series between the Millers and the ‘Hounds. Carmel won 34-7 last season, although the teams have played each other frequently during the sectional.
FISHERS-PIKE
Fishers will travel to Pike for a 7 p.m. kickoff. It will be the second MIC opponent for the Tigers in as many games this season.
Fishers opened its 2019 campaign at Lucas Oil Stadium, taking on another MIC school in North Central. The Panthers beat the Tigers in last year’s sectional final, but Fishers turned the tables last week, scoring a 26-0 win over North Central.
The Tigers set a school record in that win, as they caught six Panthers interceptions, a perfect example of how well Fishers’ defense played. The victory got the state’s attention: The Tigers entered the IFCA 6A poll at No. 10 this week.
The Red Devils began their season with a loss to another HCC school, falling at Zionsville 17-7. The Eagles led 3-0 at halftime. TraShaun Jones put Pike ahead early in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard touchdown run, but Zionsville scored two quick TDs to win the game.
“Pike is an athletic team,” Fishers coach Rick Wimmer said on HCTV. “They return about half their defense from a year ago. They kept the score down against Zionsville.”
SOUTHEASTERN-NORTH CENTRAL
Hamilton Southeastern will be the next county team to take on the Panthers, as the Royals travel to North Central on Friday.
While the Panthers had a tough game last week against Fishers, Southeastern coach Adam Morris is aware of how tough North Central can be. The Panthers won last year’s game against HSE 31-13, on their way to the school’s first sectional football title in 25 years.
“They are an elite 6A MIC program,” Morris said after the Royals’ win over another MIC team, Lawrence Central, last week. “If you don’t play well, they’re going to beat you and beat you by a lot. So we’re going to have to have a good week of practice and show up with our best effort next week to win it.”
Southeastern held off the Bears 24-20, the second year in a row that the Royals won a close game over Lawrence Central. Andrew Hobson threw two touchdown passes and totaled 233 yards over the air, with Deandre Rhodes making six catches for 144 yards, including one of the touchdown receptions.
HEIGHTS-NORTH MONTGOMERY
Hamilton Heights plays its first home game of the season on Friday, taking on what has become a new rival in North Montgomery.
The two teams have played each other three times in the past two seasons, twice in the sectional. The Huskies won in the 2017 sectional first round 37-23, but the Chargers beat them twice last year, 19-7 in the regular season and 50-24 in the sectional first round.
“North Montgomery, they’re a team we’ve got some unfinished business with,” said Heights coach Jon Kirschner on HCTV. “They’re big and they’re physical. We’re going to have to play very disciplined, very physical football to beat them this Friday.”
Both teams come in to the Huskies’ stadium 0-1. Heights dropped a 44-23 game at Mount Vernon last week, while the Chargers lost a tough one to North Putnam 21-20. North Montgomery senior Jaron Bradford passed for two touchdowns and 163 yards.
Heights, healthy again after an injury-laden 2018 season, also had some decent numbers. Isaac Wilson threw for 146 yards and a touchdown, with Camron Knott making five catches for 104 yards.
SHERIDAN-CLINTON CENTRAL
Sheridan will take on old rival Clinton Central at Bud Wright Stadium. While always a big game, it has become even more important in recent years, as it is the Hoosier Heartland Conference opener for both teams.
The Bulldogs, in Class 1A, began their season with an impressive win over 4A Frankfort 28-6. Anthony Ransford was the star of the game, scoring three touchdowns on 139 yards rushing. JT Holton threw one touchdown pass.
The Blackhawks, also a 1A school, dropped their opener to Western Boone, the No. 1-ranked defending 2A state champion, 41-6. Playing with a young team, Sheridan got its touchdown on a one-yard rush from junior Cameron Hovey. Sophomore Silas DeVaney threw for 93 yards as quarterback.
WESTFIELD-DECATUR CENTRAL
After a big win last week, Westfield will head south to Decatur Central for its second game of the season.
This will be the home opener for the Hawks, who lost their season opener at Franklin Central 30-13 last week. Decatur Central had a great season last year, going 12-2 and reaching the 5A state championship game, where it fell to New Palestine.
“Very quality opponent coming up in Decatur Central, who played in the state championship game last year,” said Westfield coach Jake Gilbert on HCTV. “They beat us last year in a game where it went down to the last few minutes.”
Junior Peyton Horsley is the Hawks’ quarterback, and he had a sensational game against the Flashes, completing 23 of 39 passes for 292 yards and a touchdown. Two DC players, senior Kenny Tracy and junior Matt Cook, both had seven receptions, while sophomore Javon Tracy made six catches.
“They always have some experienced players,” said Gilbert.
Westfield beat Harrison 55-28 last week. Senior Camden Simons had an incredible game under center, throwing for three touchdowns and 314 yards on 10-of-13 passing. Simons and Eli Patchett both topped 100 yards rushing and also scored two TDs on the ground.
GUERIN CATHOLIC-LAFAYETTE CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Guerin Catholic will play its first game at the Eagles Nest on Friday, welcoming diocese rival Lafayette Central Catholic.
The teams play every year for the Bishop’s Cup. The Golden Eagles have won the cup the past two seasons, including a 40-7 victory last year at the Knights’ field.
“Obviously LCC has a great tradition,” said GC coach Tom Dilley on HCTV. “There’s been a lot of back and forth in the contest. There’s going to be a trophy at the end of the game and all that kind of stuff.”
Central Catholic started its season on the road, falling to Tri-West 22-7. Sophomore Clark Barrett threw a touchdown pass for the Knights, finishing with 110 yards over the air.
Guerin Catholic began its season not far from LCC’s field, as the Golden Eagles beat McCutcheon 24-14 in their season opener. Gus Baumgartner rushed for over 200 yards, while quarterback Christian Gelov went 10 for 14 with a couple touchdown passes.

Noblesville’s Blaine McNabb (4) assists on a tackle during the Millers’ game with Cathedral last Friday. Noblesville plays at Carmel this Friday. (Kent Graham)